Staff Reports
In a passionate press conference held in Austin, Texas, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, directed scathing criticism at President Joe Biden regarding his handling of the border crisis. Kennedy squarely laid blame on Mexican drug cartels for shaping American border policy and called for a bipartisan effort to swiftly secure the nation's borders.
Kennedy underscored the alarming surge in illegal immigration across the border since Biden assumed office, stating, "Since Biden's election, 7 million immigrants have crossed the border illegally, while just 3.1 million have arrived legally. This statistic underscores the influence of Mexican drug cartels on American border policy." He urged Democrats to reconsider their stance on open borders and stressed the immediate need to fortify border security before engaging in discussions about work permits or amnesty programs.
This press conference coincided with the release of data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), revealing that the number of individuals attempting illegal entry into the United States reached an unprecedented high in August. It's worth noting that the previous record was also set during Biden's presidency in December 2022. Despite these concerning figures, the Biden administration announced its decision to grant Temporary Protected Status to approximately 472,000 Venezuelans already in the United States, including those who entered the country illegally.
Kennedy openly criticized this decision, remarking, "Granting work visas to 470,000 migrants sends a message to the world that anyone arriving in this country will receive a work visa. This is not the message we should be sending at this juncture. Until the border is secure, discussions about work visas should be put on hold."
Thank God someone is saying something from Old Democratic Party!! RFK Jr. Chastises President Biden About Border Crisis During Texas Visithttps://t.co/9Jf4vtGGiU
— Mary❤️?? (@patriotmary4) September 23, 2023
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, characterized the situation as an "invasion at our border" and attributed the surge in illegal crossings to Biden's policies. In response, Abbott ordered additional troops from the Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and local law enforcement to the border. The Department of Homeland Security also dispatched roughly 800 new active-duty military personnel to assist with logistical and other duties at the border.
Kennedy, who initially disagreed with former President Donald Trump's border wall, has since altered his position after witnessing the border situation firsthand. He now advocates for increased border infrastructure and technology, including additional sections of a physical wall and the deployment of sensors in areas where constructing a wall is impractical.
In summary, Kennedy's message underscores the critical importance of border security and the necessity for bipartisan cooperation among Americans, transcending political divisions. His goal is to find a resolution to the ongoing border crisis by emphasizing unity and practical solutions.
